Jumping the gun
I refer to Jan Nissar’s letter in the (FT 19/11) titled “Resign immediately”. I was totally flabbergasted when reading this letter. Nissar continues to peddle his self-assertions in insisting the FRU board to resign without any investigations. To me he is jumping the gun. In his letter he labels FRU and its officials as incompetent. His ostentatious attempt to discredit FRU is not worth it. I believe Nissar fails to understand that just like any other country France has its strict COVID-19 restrictions in place and which everybody must abide by. He also seems to fail to understand that under the same FRU we have won Olympic gold medal, The Flying Fijians’ consistent performance which has led us to be part of this Autumn Nations tournament. More recently, the Fijian Drua’s high chance of being part of the Super Rugby competition in 2022 is a testimony to this. Seriously, Nissar needs to do some fact-checking before making such unsubstantiated claims. Pranil Ram Votualevu, Nadi
Disappointment among fans
Understandably there is a lot of disappointment among Fijian rugby fans as the Flying Fijians have not been able to compete in the Autumn Nations Cup so far. Whatever went wrong, I know it won’t be easy but I remain optimistic that in our lifetime, one of the Flying Fijians teams is going to bring the William Webb Ellis trophy to our shores. Along similar lines, I am surprised there isn’t a faint disappointment when it comes to the national soccer team which rarely plays international matches. The silence is most strange from those local soccer fans who pretend to possess tonnes of soccer knowledge combined with nil imagination for improvement. Unless their interests are confined and they are content with jumping up and down during local soccer tournaments. Just like rugby players, Fiji’s elite soccer players need regular international exposure as well. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Stop playing with words
Since first reading of how our Flying Fijians first tested positive for COVID-19 ( FT 03/11 ), I was baffled by the smokescreen that FRU put up at that stage. So six players tested positive initially and three were isolated at home and the other three in the camp? As we know, some players travelled from Fiji. Were any of them included in these two groups? Did the players from Fiji get tested before departing for Europe for these games? In the second round of Tests, another four players went positive and the game with France was cancelled. Now the entire team, 29 players tested positive (FT 19/11), the Italy game is cancelled and don’t worry says FRU. Daily on our television we are hearing –– “wash your hands for 20 seconds, practise social distancing, do not shake hands” etc, etc. Did the Flying Fijians practise these simple measures? Are they wearing face masks while abroad? FRU should come clean and stop playing with words. Twenty-nine (29) players tested positive for COVID-19, full stop. “None of the players showed symptoms or needed medical support” is another issue, as is the financial loss incurred. Korina Waibuta Knollys St, Suva
Virus cure – Letter of the week ending 4/5-10/5
JUST wondering why is the Minister for Health not letting the world know how they cured the COVID-19 patients. SUKHA SINGH Labasa
Wainivula junction – Letter of the week ending 11/5-17/5
THE Wainivula Rd junction towards Kinoya is a death junction unless preventive measures are implemented by FRA and LTA. One suggestion to authorities is to install a speed camera 10 to 20 metres from this junction on the Suva side to slow down speeding drivers and to make them stay under the 50km/ph limit. Drivers, after passing the traffic lights at Centrepoint, tend to increase speed and go over 50km/ph as they make their way to the next traffic light at the Kinoya junction. In doing so, drivers do not take precautionary measures as vehicles coming out of Caubati and those coming from the Kinoya side wishing to turn into Wainivula Rd. This junction is partly obscured from oncoming vehicles from Suva side. Numerous accidents have occurred on this junction before and last Sunday afternoon one where a precious life was lost is not going to be the last. Authorities need to be proactive and implement preventive measures and junctions such as Wainivula Rd. ILAITIA BOSE Suva
Social distancing, sports – Letter of the week ending 18/5-24/5
POLITICIANS and the media are very fond of quoting endless statistics regarding the COVID-19. We hear them every day on the TV. Let me quote a few of my own. A single tennis court is 192 sq m, two players get 96 sq m each. A bowling green is approximately 1600 sq m; 16 players get 100 sq m each. And 18 holes of golf course probably provides about 100,000 sq m of fairway and greens; 36 players get 2700 sq m each. However, a bus may have around 30 sq m of available seating; 50 passengers get half a square metre each. Can someone explain the logic of the continuing ban on open-air, contact sports while no one seems to mind people being crammed into buses every day like sardines in a tin? STEVE ILLINGWORTH Valelevu, Nasinu
Noisy firecrackers
Feels good to know that we have some people who do consider pets in the midst of Diwali while noisy firecrackers are bombing around. I believe this is something that has to come from within and it cannot be imposed on anyone. It is hard to get all in the same thinking line. Consideration towards pets while buying firecrackers will be a very good gesture. Well, my personal belief is that all loud and noisy firecrackers should be banned. Doing Diwali rituals are the main key element during Diwali and the fireworks are just an added bonus for some who think Diwali cannot be celebrated without it. I believe the shop owners can also be considerate in what all it selects to buy from wholesale or that in the import line. If the shops won’t have it, it won’t be in circulation either. Again, it’s only what we can suggest and wish for while hoping changes from those in charge. Yes, many shop owners go for their profits and money-making schemes but am sure there would be some for whom humanity and feelings for vulnerable animals do exist. Certain things are only possible through self-reliance and collaboration from other stakeholders. I wish this dream of ours will come true. It is not that difficult is it? Kirti Patel Lautoka
FRU calls for calm
How on Earth does the FRU chief executive officer John O’Connor expect rugby fans to be calm especially when our hopes have been dashed with the cancellation of our second game against Italy and the Azzurri have been awarded maximum points and an aggregate score of 28-0. First it was France and now Italy. Our Autumn Test tour has been a flop and we have been robbed of two quality Test matches. I wonder if only the Fijians have tested positive for COVID-19 or do we have players from other participating teams who have been tested COVID-19 positive because the way our games have gone we have given away two winning matches. Mr O’Connor, I don’t see any reason for the spirits in our camp remaining high as I can foresee the Fiji v Scotland clash getting cancelled as well. But don’t worry, I’ll be calm! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Hot as hell
Hearing the term ‘hot as hell’ made me wonder whom and where it originated. How would someone know how hot hell is? Anthony my boy, do you know of its origin? Thought I’d ask you since you often read! Or do you just look at the pictures? Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Daylight saving
Why can’t we just start work and school one hour earlier than changing the time? This is another “million dollar” suggestion by SS free of charge. Sukha Singh Labasa
Hobbies into money earners
Once again I share something from our rounds around Lautoka. We have noticed that people who had one job from when they left school, some with 18 to 25 years of service, have found other things to do to provide food and pay the bills and they are loving it. Some have turned their hobbies into money earners. One chap just said: “Allen, it’s a humbling experience and now we live humbly.” Allen Lockington Kava Place, Lautoka
Constant change
Life’s constant factor is constant change. Yesterday changed into today and today is expected to change into tomorrow bringing with it some enjoyment and some sorrow. Change is complicated, challenging and complex causing many to wonder what will happen next. Change in thoughts leads to change without a doubt and change in action leads to rewards with fortunes and success. Willing to change is accepting the numerous opportunities presented because life expects changes offering many possibilities. Bhagwanji Bhindi Suva
FNPF new boss
I am pretty sure that many Fijians would be waiting keenly to find out the new boss for the FNPF. Emosi Balei Kini St, Suva
Whose interest
So whose interest is Trump serving by blocking Biden’s coronavirus team from co-ordinating with the White House coronavirus taskforce (as an integral part of the transition of power) to better equip them to address the pandemic raging across the country? It’s not the American people. But isn’t that what a good responsible leader is meant to do: serve the best interest and welfare of the people? That says one hell of a lot about what Trump’s leadership has been about. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
